Critique, plz?
Replies
shorten up the arm holding the hat, and also, it doesn't quite look like she's /holding/ it.
also, stop shading with black!
I can't really be sure what the white thing in the middle of her collarbone is.
My main advice would be to practice shading (also where shadows fall) and highlights.
Something about the arm in the front bugs me- the shading makes it appear a bit too long, I think. I agree with ivyatoms on the shading with black- it does create an effect, though...if you are trying to make her look sunken and sort of gothy. I like her expression, as well as her hair and her clothing...I love the stockings...
Her shoes could use more definition because, compared to the rest of her clothing, they seem very flat...and I understand they are meant to be plain, but...you could add more dimension to them so that it doesn't put a damper on the drawing.
Lastly, the sketchy line you have left is unattractive. This might just be 'cause I learned it in art class recently, but- smooth, confident lines are much more appealing. The sketchy-ness serves to pull down the image some...although, it does compliment her sunken look.
For this drawing, it would honestly be best if you obliterated her outline completely. It's a soft, realistic sort of drawing...you'd be best served if you didn't outline her flesh, but actually just showed volume and shape. I suggest this because you seemed to do that with everything else- her hair, her clothes, etc...why outline the skin when that is the one thing that's supposed to be soft?
My final complaint would be the "hat" or whatever she's holding- I can hardly tell it's a hat. I also agree that it really doesn't look like it is being grasped.
I actually like the pose. The uneven-ness makes her look like she's leaning back more and giving it more depth. It's an awkward pose, but if you look at some models they do poses such as your drawing is doing. I think you did a good job personally.
hrmm, if I wanted to be very harsh I would say that it looks a lot like the pose was traced/eyeballed off a photo because of the overall perspective with a few easy to spot mistakes like the length of the hanging arm and the shape of the shoes.
(If you used a reference, you should properly give credit)
Besides that The clothing seems a little odd to me, it's as if it doesn't wrap around the figure but floats on it's own. (for the skirt/collar/shoes especially) Try drawing the ruffle collar being folded into the neck of the shirt, as well as slimming down the back of the shoes. And I think from that angle you would be able to see some of the folds of that skirt sticking out past her hanging arm.